In a landmark moment in Indian politics, President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Women's Reservation Bill, officially making it law. The Government of India issued a gazette notification following the President's approval, marking a significant step towards gender equality and political empowerment in the country.
The Women's Reservation Bill, now known as the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam," is set to reshape the composition of India's legislative bodies. Under this legislation, 33% of seats in both the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's parliament) and state assemblies will be reserved for women. However, the implementation of this reservation will occur after the completion of a new census and delimitation exercise.
The bill's journey to becoming law was marked by a special session of Parliament, during which it received overwhelming support from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This historic achievement coincided with the inauguration of the new Parliament building on September 19, symbolizing a new era in Indian politics.
While the Women's Reservation Bill received broad support, it was not without its critics. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) opposed the bill, arguing that it primarily benefits Savarna women and does not provide reservation for Muslim women representatives. Additionally, the Congress party raised concerns about the timeline for implementation and called for OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation.
The Women's Reservation Bill contains a provision specifying that the reservation for women in legislative bodies will come into effect following a delimitation exercise based on the first census conducted after the commencement of the Constitution Act of 2023. This provision also includes a sunset clause, which stipulates that the reservation will cease to have effect after fifteen years from its commencement.
The enactment of the Women's Reservation Bill into law is a significant step towards promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in India's political landscape. It represents a commitment to increasing women's participation in decision-making processes and addressing the gender imbalance in legislative bodies. While challenges and debates surrounding the bill persist, its passage and approval by President Droupadi Murmu mark a momentous achievement in the ongoing quest for gender equality in India's democracy.
